01/17/2024
Seems appropriate to share Tally’s Cold Weather Plumbing Tips again! Stay safe and warm out there.
It is getting COLD outside! Tally's cold weather plumbing tips are very helpful - stay warm and keep your pipes from freezing.
Tally's Cold Weather Plumbing Tips:
Help Prevent Your Water Pipes from Freezing! It is easier to keep your pipes from freezing than to thaw them if they freeze.
Seal all air leaks that may let ice cold reach your pipes.
Water pipes located next to an outside wall are often subjected to sub-freezing temperatures. Any plumbing located in a garage or any other unheated building is susceptible to low temperatures. Make sure doors to these areas stay closed! On areas within your house which are vulnerable to freezing like this, you can let your Fossett drip to help keep from freezing - both hot and cold.
Any exposed pipes should be wrapped or insulated. There are other devices such as heat tape which can be used to keep pipes from freezing.
Don’t forget outside faucets. Turn off valves to outside faucets and then drain any water in the faucets. If there are no valves to outside faucets, they may be protected by insulating them and then placing a plastic bag over them to protect the insulation.
Pipes in cabinets could be located against an outside wall. Even if these pipes have been insulated, you should consider leaving the cabinet doors open to allow the heat in the room to keep them from freezing.
If your house has a crawl space located under it, close all air vents located in the foundation wall. This will prevent the pipes in the crawl space from being exposed to the cold air.
If you plan an extended vacation during cold weather, have your water turned off. Then, you may drain your water pipes, turn off the water heater and other water using devices, to give your pipes extra protection from freezing.
If Your Water Pipes Freeze......
Even if all precautions are taken you still might find a frozen pipe in your house. Open the cold water faucet nearest the frozen pipe to relieve the pressure of expanding ice that may cause a pipe to burst.
If you are thawing a frozen pipe, Be careful! Gentle heat from a light bulb, hairdryer on warm setting or heat tape is good. If the pipe is already cracked from freezing, as the water thaws, it may begin to spray out risking danger of electrocution if it sprays the applicance you are using for thawing. Do not use a torch or other open flame!
Plan ahead and locate your main water cut-off valve......
Imagine the panic if water were pouring through the house from a broken pipe.
Locate the main water cut-off valve or the electrical breaker to your water pump, mark it, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is.
